China Town fusion

Located near the entrance to the uber popular 'Patties Markets'/Haymarket sits a small stretch of shops dubbed as China Town. China town is just a short (down hill) walk from central station and sits just above the also popular Darling Harbor. China Town is somewhat famous for it's traditional bilingual sign posts.

Adorning either entrance is a majestic, bright red 'traditional' Chinese archway. It certainly stands out. 

Arches.... Arches everywhere

Walking along the stretch of shops is really a thrill. Every where you go you are being lightly heckled by menu carrying waiters and waitresses tempting you to sit down and sample one of their many Asian delights. The food of course is amazing. Towards the north most end of the arcade is a Chinese cream puff booth. I say booth because it is really just that: a tiny window in a wall where with an impossibly small kitchen behind it. The lines for these cream puff and custard tarts are infamously long but are well worth the wait!

Occasionally, but especially so on Chinese festivals the stretch of shops will be overly decorated and hold celebrations to mark, for example, the 'Year of the Snake'. During this time it's not uncommon to see the traditional Chinese Dragon show, during which a large Dragon like costume is manned by about 6 or so men and woman giving the impression that he large Dragon is hovering along the street. After all to see and do while at China Town you most likely wondering where the best place to eat is! The answer: Golden Harbor Restaurant , of course! This always busy, always popular restaurant specializes in Yum Cha (which is small, traditional Chinese dishes, like dumplings and pork buns). If you do decide to waltz down to China town make sure you pop in and visit, it's well worth it!

The signage for the tempting GHR 

So returning to our question of 'What is Urban Life in Sydney', the answer seems easily evident. Multicultural is one word which springs to mind: the street decorations, the character of the shops and what they sell certainly is modeled after an authentic Chinese strip of shops. Sydney is not just about bland office buildings and endless bodies of gleaming water, it's about cultural flare and being proud to show it.

Post by Will